A SERIAL thief who attempted to steal a woman's handbag in a busy Ipswich street has been sent to prison for four months.Magistrates in Ipswich decided that the attempt by Tina Bromley, 37 of no fixed address, was aggravated by the fact that she had only recently been released from a prison sentence.

A SERIAL thief who attempted to steal a woman's handbag in a busy Ipswich street has been sent to prison for four months.

Magistrates in Ipswich decided that the attempt by Tina Bromley, 37 of no fixed address, was aggravated by the fact that she had only recently been released from a prison sentence.

Bromley pleaded guilty to the offence of criminal attempt, which took place in Woodbridge Road on Thursday, July 3.

Gareth Davies, prosecuting, said: "At noon on the day in question a lady had just finished work and was walking along Woodbridge Road when she passed a phone box.

"As she did so she felt a tugging at the handbag and then felt someone trying to pull the bag from her. They both struggled for about 30 seconds but the victim could not see the accused as she was pulling at the bag from behind her.

"A passing motorist saw the incident, pulled up and the defendant and another woman left the scene.

"The incident was witnessed by a number of people and after a description was given to police, the defendant was arrested in Woodbridge Road near to the Regent theatre.

Mr Davies said that there was no threat of violence or actual violence so the charge was criminal attempt and not robbery or theft.

John Hughes, for Bromley, said his client had attempted to take the bag as she had ten days to go before receiving her next giro cheque and needed money for food.

Magistrates gave Bromley credit for her prompt guilty plea before handing her the four-month sentence.